Residents press Pasadena leaders for cameras, automated speed enforcement and faster fixes at dangerous intersections

Residents at a Pasadena District 7 forum pressed city staff on site-specific safety problems, asked how the city will use cameras and new technology, and called for faster engineering and enforcement at intersections they described as dangerous.

Sylvia, who identified herself as a colleague and friend of the recently deceased Caltech affiliate Kenny Laauo, thanked officials for the forum and asked about intersections where signalized crossings account for many pedestrian crashes. "I am a colleague and friend of Kenny Laauo who passed away last month," Sylvia said; she and others urged more immediate mitigation at known hazardous crossings.

Multiple speakers described local trouble spots: San Pasqual and Wilson (two-way stop control), Cordova near the recent fatality, the corridor of California/Delmar and lanes that feel like a "little freeway" at commute times. One resident who lives on Cordova said they often avoid walking or biking because they do not feel safe, especially after dark.

Residents asked whether the city uses cameras to collect evidence and deter dangerous driving. Staff said the city already uses a mix of roadway cameras and third-party feeds for data and investigations and described plans to expand technology use. Police and DOT staff said they are developing an Active Intelligence Center to provide real-time feeds and analytics; they also noted the city is pursuing eligibility for state pilot programs to allow automated speed-enforcement cameras on corridors with demonstrated speed problems.

On enforcement, Lieutenant Anthony Russo described the department's approach to education and contact-making: officers issue warnings and citations, and the department works with grant partners (including the Office of Traffic Safety) to fund enforcement and equipment. Russo said the traffic section issued about 1,037 enforcement contacts in District 7 last year.

Residents asked how to report near misses and non-injury collisions. Staff directed the public to the Pasadena City Service Center app and its phone and web portals, which accept locations, photos and narrative descriptions and route issues to the appropriate departments so patterns can be identified and data-collection devices or enforcement can be deployed.

Several residents asked specifically about speed humps and whether corridors that previously did not qualify might now be eligible. Staff said the council and staff have expanded eligibility through the greenways program so corridors such as Wilson may be considered for speed humps if they meet the program criteria. Officials said quick-build paint-and-plastic pilots are being used to test designs and gather public feedback before permanent construction.

Community members urged repeated follow-up: provide clearer signage in school zones, increase visible enforcement on problem blocks, and speed the timeline for pilots that prove effective. Councilmember Jason Lion closed by asking residents to continue reporting problems and to reach his district liaison when they need follow-up from the city.

Staff said they would remain after the meeting to speak individually with residents about specific intersections and follow up on submitted requests.